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Star HS pitcher meets idol Jim Abbott

A 15-year-old star pitcher with the ability to use only one of his arms got some big-league advice on Thursday from a man who has been down a similar path.

High school pitcher Aaron Brugler and former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Abbott have traded stories for years. The two finally met Thursday night at Turpin High School.

For Brugler, baseball has always been more than a game. It has motivated him to be the best he can be and overcome a few strikes life threw at him.

"It just shows anyone can pitch and do whatever they want to do in life," he said. "If they want to play baseball, they can play baseball or any other sport. You just have to work at it."

Prior to birth, Brugler suffered a stroke, which resulted in him having cerebral palsy. He has no use of his right arm, and he also has epilepsy. But none of that has stopped him from dreaming big dreams, like being a professional baseball player one day.

"I believe, so hopefully (I'll play) for the Reds or the Red Sox, my two favorite teams," he said.

"I don't recall ever a day of him looking at me saying, 'Why did this happen to me?'" said Brugler's mother, Kimberly Heileman. "I don't think he's said that to me in his whole life. That's who he is. That's how God made him."

Thursday night, Brugler and his family were the guests at the Green Diamond Gallery in Montgomery, a place where baseball comes alive through an amazing collection of memorabilia.

Brugler met Abbott, one of his heroes, who played in the majors despite being born without a right hand. He even pitched a no-hitter.

"When he got my letter and he gave me a letter, every time before a game, I would look at that letter. It gives me more confidence," Brugler said.

"I remember being in Aaron's shoes and looking up to big league players," Abbott said. "It does give you encouragement and the belief in the power of baseball, too."

Heileman said her son has become an inspiration to others to keep the faith.

"He is an inspiration to so many people," she said. "His baseball team looks up at him, not down, because he works so hard at it. I could not be more proud of the young man he has become."

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